Combined trace-eye protector and spacing-strip.



1). L. DU VAL.

COMBINED TRACE EYE PROTECTOR AND SPAGING STRIP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1911.

1,032,473. Patented July 16, 1912.

amen co a Dz'fireZZLDu Vbl wi lmmmo DIBRELL L. DU VAL, 0F LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

COMBINED TRACE-EYE PROTECTOR AND SPACINGr-STRIP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, Patented J 1115 16, 1 912.

Application filed November 25, 1911. Serial No. 662,408.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DIBRELL L. DU VAL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski and State of Arkansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Combined Trace-Eye Protectors and Spacing-Strips, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in a combined trace eye protector and spacing strip.

One object of the present invention is the provision of a combined trace eye protector and spacing strip which shall be so constructed as to protect the eye of the trace in the application of the same to a swingletree, and at the same time prevent lateral movement of the trace on the swingletree thereby reducing the wear on the parts to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which shall include a strip of flat material twisted upon itself to provide an eye protector for the eye of the trace and at the same time form a spacing strip whereby the trace may be rigidly secured to the swingletree.

With the above and other objects in view which shall appear as the description progresses, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a swingletree, showing traces attached thereto and embodying the present inven tion, the traces being partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through a trace embodying the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a combined eyeprotector and spacing strip, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals of reference designate similar parts throughout the several views, 1 designates the swingletree provided at its opposite ends with the usual buttons or hooks 2, designed to receive the traces 3 through the medium of the eyes 4 of the latter.

The combined trace eye protector and spacing strip is designated in general at A, and as shown comprises a flat strip 5 con structed of leather, metal or any other suitable or preferred material. Intermediate its ends the strip 5 is bent upon itself as at 6 to provide a loop 7 adapted to aline with the eye 4 of the trace 3. The opposite ends of the loop forming portion of the strip are twisted upon themselves as at Sand terminate in superimposed securing members 9 arranged in a plane at right angles to the plane of the loop forming portion of the strip and designed to receive rivets 10, or other suitable fastening devices whereby the securingmembers 9 may be fastened to the trace 3 adjacent the eye 4: thereof.

In the application of the trace to the swingletree, the button or hook 2 of the former is inserted through the loop 7 of the device A, after which the said hook is projected through the eye 4: of the trace. Lateral movement of the trace upon the swingletree is prevented owing to the loop forming portion of the strip 1 being arranged in a plane at right angles to the plane of the securing members 9, thereby causing the free edges of the 1o0p3 to engage the outer end of the swingletree adjacent the hook 2 thereon.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided a combined trace eye protector and spacing strip which serves to protect the eye of the trace against tearing and mutilation, incident to the action of the trace on the swingletree, and at the same time holds the trace upon the swingletree in such a manner as to prevent the lateral movement of the trace relatively to the swingletree whereby the wear on the parts is reduced to a minimum.

Having thusdescribed my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a trace, of a combined trace eye protector and spacing strip comprising a strip of flat material eye of the trace to prevent lateral movement 10 twisted upon itself and secured to the trace of the trace upon a swingletree. adjacent the eye thereof to prevent lateral In testimony whereof I affix my signature movement of the trace upon a swingletree in presence of two witnesses. and the mutilation of the eye of the trace.

2. The combination with a trace, of a. DIBRELL DU trace eye protector comprising a strip of Witnesses: V flat material twisted upon itself and form- W. HQ SUTTON, ing a spacing strip and located adjacent the W. B. KENNEDY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. G. 

